Ambitious

"I have already trained a few times with the first team. It was a huge experience for me," he said.

"Aguero, Nasri and David Silva are impressive players, but I learn the most from Vincent Kompany.

"He gives me good advice. This year I want to train more with the big boys, develop my skills and I also dream of some playing time, maybe in the cup or so.

"Next year I want to be a part of the first squad."

Previously, Denayer played for two years in the youth set-up of Anderlecht, but then decided to join the Belgian branch of the famous Academy Jean-Marc Guillou, which has already produced Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Yaya Toure (Man City), Emmanuel Eboue (Galatasaray) and Gervinho (AS Roma).

He spent five years there until his agent, who has good contacts with Kompany, asked to have a trial at Manchester City.

"We didn't play many games, only friendlies, but we trained with our bare feet in the beginning," reminisced Denayer, who used to be a striker before they put him in defence.

"It helps to develop your technical skills. Once you've reached a certain level, you're allowed to put on shoes. From then on the training is focused on technique and playing in small spaces."

ood grief. Someone guessed that the form English player at the moment might be in his national side with some other players? And that's espionage? Now if they discovered that Emile Heskey was going to be in the starting line up.... at right back.... THAT would be espionage. Give it a rest Roy.